Monday, June 29, 2009

On Thurday, the PS22 Chorus got a visit from the MTV News crew, including mega-cool correspondent Sway Calloway! Sway was awesome with the kids and was obviously very impressed by what he has seen and heard from our fifth grade posse!

Sway interviewed Allie & Baaba (Allibaaba) in one segment...

...and then Joseph, Nick, and Justin in another.

After we spoke, Sway was then treated to a mini-performance by the PS22 Chorus, which included a debut version of "Seaweed Song" by our friends, Passion Pit! (We'll wait on posting that and another awesome rendition of "Just Dance" by Lady Gaga until after the segment airs.)

Big thanks to Sway and MTV News for coming down and giving a little more "street cred" to the PS22 Chorus! The segment was originally set to air on July 1st, however it may be postponed with Michael Jackson's untimely passing. I will update the blog when I get further notice from MTV.

The pictures with the kids are too funny.. and I love the video footage... can't wait to see the whole segment. It's just yet another bullet on the resume of these highly talented kids! what a fantastic way to end out the year... hope you had a blast kids--- you deserve it!

ps-- I have loved going back through some of the older videos and seeing just how much some of these kids have grown up! They are such great young adults!

Tori Amos

"They were so good! Their arrangements -- their sound -- it was so good.... It was...... disarming. It means so much that they took it and made it their own."-- Tori Amos after a private performance by the PS22 Chorusof her songs at the Sony Atrium in N.Y.C.

Common

"I feel honored to perform with PS22. The energy brought me up to a natural high on music and art, and just the spirits of you all. You all are so exciting to perform with..... I'm gonna remember this day forever."--hip hop legendCommonon performing with the PS22 Chorus at the National Tree Lighting 2009 for President Obama

David Cook

"Oh my God! It's ridiculous... It is incredible how good you guys are!!"-- David Cook, American Idol winner, after singing with PS22 Chorus!

Bonnie Hunt

Innocence Mission

"What a beautiful, beautiful, joyful version. It is a huge improvement on the original. The children brought tears to my eyes with their glorious singing and smiles. I so love the energy of this performance, the arrangement, the harmonies, everything."-- Karen PerisofThe Innocence Missionin apersonal message to the PS22 Chorusafter seeing the kids' video of the song "There" from their album, GLOW

Tribute WTC

Wikipedia

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IMPROVS

Improvising is a skill that really demands great natural musical ability, particularly to do it at 9 or 10 years old! All of the following songs were being created and recorded as you hear them here (with some minor post-editing). PS22 Chorus member JUSTIN, with occasional super-special guests including legendary PS22 Chorus Alumni CLIVE, DEON, BEN, ADIZA, KARIMA, BRI-AH, & AMANDA D., demonstrates the technique brilliantly.

Stevie Nicks

B.J. Novak

"My God! We watch you all the time at work, at The Office, all the actors, all the writers... You guys are amazing! I swear to you, you're an inspiration, keep it up!"-- B.J. Novak, star of The Office, raves about the PS22 Chorusat The Webby Awards!

Sinead O'Connor

"Most beautiful, joyous thing I seen apart from me own children ." -- Sinead O'Connorafter seeing the PS22 Chorus video of her song "Jackie!" PS22 was then invited to be the opening act for her concert at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.

Passion Pit

"These kids made the record what we had been dreaming it to be, as they are integral parts of three songs.... It felt so unbelievable to have the exact sound that I wanted coming through the headphones...."-- Michael Angelakosof Passion Pit on recording with the PS22 Chorus

Nancy Pelosi

"...You indeed, as you sing, 'rule the world!'"--Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosiafter hearing the chorus sing at the Capitol